Flash Fic, September 18, 2020

“What is a Sadie Hawkins Dance?”

Jim Kirk and his recently acquired friend, Spock, a Vulcan, stopped at a board on Starfleet Academy where announcements, requests, and offerings were pinned to for other cadets to see.

Jim moved close, to lean in, and peer at the note Spock was looking at, and maybe, to get a little closer to Spock too.

He had a crush, so sue him.

“A long time ago, a Sadie Hawkins Dance was when ladies would ask out guys to a dance, instead of the other way around. Traditionally, in the old fashioned times, guys asked them. So when it was a Sadie Hawkins one, guys were supposed to wait for a lady to ask him.”

Spock nodded. “I see.”

“But that’s a long time ago. Now it’s sorta like, well, you ask someone you’d probably not ask usually.”

Spock glanced at him. “Why?”

Jim put his hand on Spock’s back to distract him away from the notices on the board. “Why what? Come on. Aren’t we going for dinner?”

Spock turned away and fell into step with Jim. “Why would you ask someone you would not generally wish to attend with?”

“Well, I mean, you wouldn’t ask Finnegan or something, but…”

“Certainly not.”

“I just mean you wouldn’t ask someone you disliked just to be nice, that kind of thing.”

They left campus and headed down the street to the restaurant they generally had dinner at every Friday night for the last two months. It had choices for both of them that made them happy.

“I see,” Spock said after several moments of silence. “Then who would you ask?”

“Well.” They’d arrived and Jim reached for the door. “Hang on.”

Spock went inside and Jim followed after him. The hostess sat them at what had become their usual table. Before they continued the conversation, Jim ordered a glass of red wine and Spock tea.

“Like someone you really like, but are afraid to ask out.” Jim shrugged. “That kind of thing. I don’t know, Spock. It’s kind of a stupid thing.”

“Do you go to dances?”

Jim laughed. “Nah. Not since I was in middle school. By the time I got to high school, I kinda thought they were lame. I have two left feet anyway. How about you?”

Spock shook his head. “Never.”

They placed their food orders, Jim spaghetti with meat sauce, and Spock some vegetable rice thing he was fond of, and the conversation turned to other subjects.

When their plates were cleared away, Jim asked, “Why the curiosity? Did you want to ask someone to the dance?”

And the funny thing was, Jim thought of Uhura. She was friends with Spock too, though the three of them didn’t really ever do anything together. Jim wasn’t too fond of her and vice versa.

But Jim knew Uhura liked Spock. That way. And it was possible Spock felt that way. Jim knew Spock was rather shy and reserved. Maybe he simply didn’t know how to approach her.

Spock was looking oddly at Jim. He didn’t respond to Jim’s question, so Jim figured he had to pursue it.

“Like, um, I don’t know. Uhura?”

And he inwardly winced at suggesting her.

“Nyota? I do not…Jim.”

“What?”

Spock looked down at his tea and then back at Jim. “Why would I be asking someone to the dance when I am already dating someone?”

And that had Jim staring at Spock this time.

“Wait. You are? Who?”

“You.”

Jim’s fingers gripped the stem of his wine glass so hard he was a little surprised it didn’t shatter.

“I…”

“I am feeling very unsettled to think that all this time my regard was not returned and that I have been a fool,” Spock said, softly.

“No.” Jim shook his head and bit his lip when Spock seemed to draw into himself. “Spock, no. I-I’m crazy about you.”

“You are?”

“Deliriously so.”

“Then we are dating?” Spock asked. “As I surmised.”

Jim went over all their interactions. Going for tea and coffee. Movies. Walks in the park. Even a picnic last Saturday. And every Friday night dinner at the restaurant they were seated at presently.

Well, hell. He was blind. They hadn’t done any kissing or-or anything else, really. Well, Spock sometimes touched his fingers to Jim’s in a weird Vulcan thing, he guessed, but…

“Spock!”

Spock blinked. “Yes?”

“This.” Jim put out his middle and index fingers toward Spock and Spock met them immediately. “This is…it’s an intimacy, isn’t it? For Vulcans.”

Spock pursed his lips. “Yes. I thought you understood.”

Jim blew out a breath. “I do now. I…well. I guess we were taking this slow.”

“Meaning?”

Jim smiled a little. “I should have been kissing you for weeks.”

Spock arched a brow. “You have been. Then I can surmise there is no one else you wish to invite to the Sadie Hawkins Dance?”

“Heck no.” Jim left credits on the table. “Let’s get out of here.”

They left the restaurant and stepped outside, into the somewhat chilly night air.

Jim turned to Spock, put his hand to Spock’s jaw and leaned in to share their first Human style kiss.

It was slow and sweet and warm. It did funny things to Jim’s stomach.

He pulled back, linked his arm through Spock’s and they headed back toward the campus.